Conference sessions
Plenary Session—Selling Safety to Management: Norm Ralph and Jim Hopkins, British Columbia Rapid Transit Corporation (SkyTrain)
Often safety people approach management with a request for resources to address safety concerns using the justification “we need to do it because it’s regulated” and then can’t understand why the boss isn’t interested or willing to commit. This session will explore how to build a business case that makes it easier for your manager to buy into your safety concern and make it easier for them to approve the appropriate solution to the problem.
1A—Industrial Hygiene in Construction: Geoff Clark, Senior Occupational Hygienist, WorkSafeBC
Construction workers are regularly exposed to many hazardous materials during the course of their work that can cause life-threatening occupational diseases, such as occupational asthma, asbestosis, silicosis and cancer. With a focus on the current “hot topics” within the construction industry, come and join what promises to be a lively discussion, ask questions, and learn how you can help protect your workers from a variety of industry hazards.
1B—Traffic Control — Employer Guide to Low/Moderate and High Risk: Brenda Knight, BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA)
Employers are responsible for determining the level and scope of traffic control at their worksite; only high-risk traffic control and emergency scene traffic control has certified and controlled training in place. Low- to medium-risk traffic control is up to the companies to manage. This presentation will provide tools for assessing and planning traffic control at all levels and will be valuable to those companies wanting to know the level of coverage and training to provide.
1C—Mentoring Young Workers — Effective Strategies: Dave Rossi, Common Sense Solutions
Why should you mentor young and new workers in construction? This session will discuss the causes and compelling statistics of young and new worker injuries, providing context to explain the importance of mentoring. Dave Rossi will discuss how to invest in youth and explain how to shape the average employee into an exceptional one. The session will continue with an in-depth look inside the young mind and how to encourage common sense in youth. Suggestions for honing creative and engaging training and mentoring techniques on the job site will be provided. The presenter will focus on how to build a strong culture of inclusion so that the new and young employees are enabled to create a sense of belonging. Lastly, Dave will explore “the cost of not” and how ineffectiveness can damage profit.
1D—Working at Heights — Planning Ahead: Andrew Kidd & Jaret Swanson, Occupational Safety Officers, WorkSafeBC
Part I of this session will provide the participants with a clear understanding of the responsibilities and legal requirements of working at heights on residential worksites by reviewing sections of the Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation most commonly cited during a typical inspection.
Part II will look at the process of accurately assessing the hazards and planning the work so that the health and safety of workers is properly addressed.
The ultimate goals are to provide participants with tools to help manage the risk associated with working at heights.
2A—PPE — Pre-Inspection to Ensure Your Protection: Derek Malone, Hazmasters
This session is designed to give participants an opportunity to learn about the importance of inspecting each piece of personal protective equipment prior to use. Most workers and supervisors are aware that PPE must be inspected before it is used, however, how many of us actually do it? What do you need to look for when you are inspecting your equipment? What do you do if you find defects in your equipment? During this session, participants will be given the opportunity to inspect various types of PPE and will be asked to note the defects, if there are any.
2B—Injury Management in Construction: Laura Hardacre, Rupel Amershi, Abha McDonell, Vernita Hsu
Keeping injured workers connected to the workplace or getting them back on the job is an important part of their recovery and it is good for business! Early intervention by the employer is key to successful return-to-work (RTW) planning. In this session we will provide you with a step-by-step “injury” road map that will help ensure your return to work process is efficient and effective. Participants will have the opportunity to meet WorkSafeBC Construction Nurses and the Injury Management Coordinator from BCCSA who will provide RTW tips and take your questions. A resource package of tools and resources will be provided to all participants.
2C—Underground Utilities — Working Safely Near Buried Services: Dave Baspaly, Executive Director BC Common Ground Alliance; and Darlene Dyson, Office Manager, BC One Call
Each year in B.C., there are over 5,000 hits to underground infrastructure causing injuries, damage, environmental catastrophes, disruptions in utility service and —periodically— deaths. Even when no one is hurt, these events cost the government and taxpayers millions of dollars and cause disruption to our infrastructure. This session is tailored to contractors and provides participants with a brief overview on digging/ excavation responsibilities for various utilities, safe practice and the One Call process.
2D—Mentoring — Building Teams and Improving Communication in Construction: Leah-Ann Maybe, Construction Industry Specialist, WorkSafeBC; Randy Callaghan, Field Personnel Advisor, PCL Constructors Westcoast; and Cori Maedel, The Jouta Performance Group Inc.
This session has been developed to give participants the opportunity to learn the importance of mentoring workers in the workplace and the challenges involved with changing attitudes and behaviours. The format will be a panel discussion featuring workers and supervisors representing industry organizations that utilize mentoring programs . The panel will give participants examples of the benefits of building teams and improving communications at the workplace. Participants will be given the chance to ask questions and be given tools to assist them with the mentoring process.
3A—Site Safety Assessment in the “Fire & Flood Restoration” Industry: Moderator: John Preston, Executive Director, BC Association of Restoration Contractors (BCARC); Presenters: Mike Sully, President, BCARC; Jim Short, OnSide Restoration
The Restoration Contractor industry in B.C., through their health and safety association, BC Association of Restoration Contractors (BCARC), felt a strong need to introduce a standardized approach to Site Safety Assessment (SSA) for their industry. The Board of Directors and the Technical Advisory Committee undertook to develop and deliver an industry-standard approach to SSA.
BCARC has now developed and delivered an industry-specific SSA format, an industry-wide online training program and a companion toolbox guide.
This presentation outlines how one industry went from the starting blocks to the finish line on a much needed element of our industry’s safety program.
3B—Speed Networking — Interactive Safety/Social Networking: Leah-Ann Maybee
This session is designed to give conference attendees the opportunity to network in a formal atmosphere and connect with others in industry to create an ongoing safety communication line. The session will be introduced and instructions given on how the speed networking will proceed. Following this, participants will be split into two groups. One group will remain stationary while the second group will move one seat over every 3–5 minutes. There will be a 5-question page given to each participant as a guide to gathering information from the person they are speaking with. At the end of the session, all participants will be invited to complete a feedback form. A network will be set up in social media to allow participants to continue networking and keep the safety discussions going.
3C—BC Safety Authority: Elevating, Electrical and Gas Safety: Sam Hamze, Senior Elevating Device Safety Officer; Ted Gilbert, Electrical Safety Officer, BC Safety Authority; and Ron Herrington, Gas Safety Officer, BC Safety Authority
At the BC Safety Authority, we keep people safe. We mandate the safe installation and use of technical equipment. We also issue permits and licences, educate, and conduct onsite inspections in higher-risk installations. In this session we will present on Elevating, Electrical and Gas Safety as it pertains to construction.
3D—Crane Operators — What You Should Know About Their Work: Fraser Cocks, Executive Director, BC Association of Crane Safety (BCACS)
This session will provide an update on the crane operator qualification program. The focus of the presentation will be to provide information on what to look for with regards to:
- The various crane classifications and the nature of the qualification program
- “Control of the Load” – What does control look like?
- Who is responsible for crane safety?
Time will be allotted for questions at the end of the session.